Follow these steps to complete your preliminary application
Pay the DSC Application/Recommendation Fee
Payment of $140 fee to the Ventura County Office of Education for your application, processing, and recommendation.
Follow the teal "Register Now" link above to complete the Eligibility Form, then register and pay for the application service. Once you have registered you will have access to the course in ESE Canvas, where you will submit your application documents.
Academic Subjects - Requirements
Please be advised that submission of official transcripts is required for all academic subjects.
ACADEMIC SUBJECT AREAS: Must meet ALL of the following requirements:
a. Bachelor's Degree or higher.
b. Basic Skills requirement: Can be met through a Bachelor's Degree. CTC's Credential Leaflet CL-667 (links to an external site).
c. Semester units as follows:
— For English as a Second Language (ESL) - 20-semester units in any one or any combination of the following coursework: Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Second Language Acquisition, Language other than English, Linguistics, Bilingual/bicultural studies.
— For Elementary and Secondary Basic Skills - 20 semester units with at least 3 units in four of the following areas: English, Math, Science, Social Science, Fine Arts, Language other than English.
— For Individual Subjects (Language other than English, English, Fine Arts, Life Science including General Science, Math, Physical Science including General Science, Social Sciences) - 20 semester units in the subject to be taught.
- Please request college or university Official Electronic transcript (“e-transcript”) of your Associate's, Bachelor's, or Coursework (from the U.S.).
- Your college/university will need to email directly to Credential Analyst Sylvia Iniguez at siniguez@vcoe.org.
- Please state that you have requested electronic transcripts in the "Assignment Comments" section.
Foreign Transcript
A foreign transcript evaluation by a CTC-approved agency is required if your diploma or degree is from another country. CLICK HERE (links to an external site) for more info.
Apply for Certificate of Clearance (COC)
IMPORTANT NOTE: You do not need to apply for a Certificate of Clearance if:
(1) you already hold a valid (not expired) California teaching credential or a Certificate of Clearance, OR
(2) it has been less than 18 months since your California teaching credential expired.
Follow the steps below to apply for your Certificate of Clearance:
- Complete Live Scan Fingerprints:
Download the “Request for Live Scan Service” form (41-LS) and take to a Live Scan operator. Live Scan locations: https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations. A fee will be required.
- Create your Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) Educator Login:
Go to CTC - Create Account.
Follow the instructions.
- Apply for the COC:
Once your CTC Educator Login is created, go to https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/submit-online and follow the instructions.
- Pay the CTC’s processing fee of $50 and complete their Professional Fitness Questionnaire (PFQ).
- Submit a copy of your COC:
It may take 5-10 business days for the CTC to issue your Certificate of Clearance.
For questions, please refer to the CTC's Fingerprints FAQs
OBTAIN YOUR CLEAR CREDENTIAL
Important: Issuance of a Preliminary Credential is a prerequisite for admission to the Clear Credential program
Clear Adult Education Credential
To apply for the CLEAR DSC Adult Ed Credential, you will need to complete the following:
1. Possess a Preliminary DSC Adult Ed Credential.
2. Obtain written verification from your employing school district (ESD) that you taught at least four terms on the preliminary credential (a minimum of one course in each of four terms within the three years of validity of your preliminary credential. Two of these terms must be with one ESD.) Please have your school district complete a letter (on district letterhead) that verifies your teaching experience. Note: substitute teaching does not meet this requirement
3. Verification of completion of a Commission-approved DSC Adult Ed program. VCOE offers an approved DSC Adult Ed Program - click HERE for information
4. Proof of meeting US Constitution requirement by either college coursework or exam (official transcript or exam results). If you have a bachelor’s degree issued from a California State University (CSU), this will also meet this requirement. If you need to meet this requirement, there are several exam options available:
5. Official transcript of a health education course (at least 1 semester unit) which covers nutrition and substance abuse.
- VCOE offers an online Health Ed course each school year. To register, go to the ESE Catalog Health for Educators. Registration cost is $120.
6. Copy of the front and back of the CPR card/certificate covering Adult, Child, and Infant (or Adult/Pediatric) certification (same standards as American Red Cross or American Heart Association). Note: the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) will accept online CPR training through www.cprtoday.com toward credential requirements.
If you have any questions, please contact our office at (805) 437-1320 or academicadvise@vcoe.org.
Program Fees and Schedules
2026-2027 Adult Ed Full-Year Credential Program Schedule
Candidates who will be paying their own costs (without employer assistance) will pay the non-refundable Registration Fee at the time of registration and may pay the Program Cost in its entirety or in 2 installments, per the schedule below.
Fees:
- Non-refundable Registration Fee: $150
- Program Cost: $3,000
If paying for your course in installments:
- Installment #1, due 11/01: $1,550 ($1500 + $50 service charge)
- Installment #2, due 04/01: $1,550 ($1500 + $50 service charge)
2026-2027 Adult Ed Equivalency Credential Program
Total Fees: $150 non-refundable Registration Fee + $1,000 Program Costs = $1,150
Registration and program cost due at the time of registration.
CLU Professional Development Units Option
Candidates have the option to purchase Professional Development Units on completion of their DSC clear credential program. Units are provided through California Lutheran University and may be used for salary advancement*.
- Full-Year DSC-CTE Credential Program: 9 units for $810
- DSC-CTE Equivalency Program: 1 unit for $90
*Check with your employer prior to purchase to verify that units will be accepted for salary advancement.
PROGRAM TRANSCRIPTS:
Some employers may only require documentation of completion and credit hours for salary advancement. You may request a VCOE transcript for this documentation ($15 fee).
Frequently Asked Questions:
- I'm not sure if I want units this year; can I purchase units for this year's work in a later year? You can purchase units up to one year after completing your program.
- Are these units acceptable toward salary credit with my district/employer? Please check with your employer's human resources/personnel department for their specific policy re: acceptance of units.
- I only need three units to move up on the salary scale, can I purchase fewer units? No, units are only available for the full course.
Early Orientation Requirement (Full-Year Candidates Only)
Designated Subjects Credential Standards require an orientation before or during the first month of teaching. The early orientation includes the introductory skills, knowledge, and attitudes required for teaching success. There are two parts: Early Orientation Form and Early Orientation course.
Early Orientation
Register and Enroll in Free Course CTE Online Early Orientation
After completion of enrollment, upload badge to Canvas course.